"Golf, golf and more golf"

ORILLIA - Ah to be away from Florida, now that the mayhem season has come to a close.
It was at 1:12 p.m. on Sunday at Pearson Airport, when the female Canada Border Security Agent asked me, “and what was the purpose of your trip sir?”
My reply was swift.
“Golf, golf and more golf,” I uttered.
She stamped my passport, looked up and smiled and gave me a sense she wanted to say something else, but knew she was being video taped.
And so it ended, nine days with the two Bobs, Jim, Mark, Brian, Joe, Dave, Chris, Jerry Love and the collection of assorted colourful Floridians, who wandered across the path marked by a colourful bunch of Canadians.
Mark, Bob and Brian were the new guys on the trip this year, not at all aware of what adventures awaited them when we first met in Toronto on Nov. 22, prior to our 6:30 a.m. departure to Orlando on Nov. 23.
Anybody who knows me knows too well that I’m not an early bird; so rising at 3 a.m. doesn’t sit well in Dodd World.
Wheels down in Orlando at 9:15 a.m. was almost as frightening, given that we were playing golf at 1:30 p.m.
Bob and Brian were like little kids, staring at the palm trees, as Dave navigated out of Orlando on our way north to our digs at Errol Estate.
The Lee Westwood Golf Academy has come to Errol, a big shot in the arm for the facility, as the management company has poured millions of dollars into upgrades.
Ontario professionals rave about Errol Estate and how the golf facility provides the rare elevation changes on holes you rarely find in Florida.
The change since my last visit was noticeable, as the conditions of the fairways and greens have improved dramatically.
Sorry for the detour, back to the trip.
Spending extended time in close proximity with guys, especially new ones, means a lot gets shared, with few barriers in the way.
And along the way it also gives you a chance to connect with Americans who are as interesting as they come.
Three years ago we met a great lady named Judy, who has gone on to become a cherished friend.
She was looking fantastic this year after battling back from a serious illness.
And then there is the charmer of the bunch, the affectionate and upbeat Bingo Betty, who defies her age and can party you into exhaustion.
Betty and I cut the rug on the dance floor last Saturday and were the hit of the party. It was indeed a moment that left me chuckling.
But it is the little things you laugh about repeatedly that keep coming back to mind.
We watched the movie ‘Up’ one the plane trip south, with one memorable line uttered by the dog in the film.
“Squirrel” was all he said and yet we must have uttered that word 600 times in Florida when a furry creature came into view.
When our pal Jerry was feeling a little irritated one day on the course, one member of the foursome suggested he “show us the love Jerry”. From there it was Jerry Love, and it never stopped.
A side trip to Mount Dora, north of Orlando, provided an incredible Christmas light display, as the whole downtown was awash in light and festive displays.
Fine eating was everywhere and my taste buds weren’t disappointed.
Note to diet councilor, yes I racked up the calories.
As for the golf, it was fun, some memorable shots were recorded, and when I needed ‘game’ the most, I played like a hippo on roller skates.
And one last note to those who have Global Positioning Systems in their cars and use them for guidance, make sure you have the right location logged in.
Brian and Bob decided they’d venture to the airport in a separate vehicle and used the GPS to guide them.
Earlier in the trip they’d used it to guide them to Daytona Beach.
Sunday morning, somehow Daytona International got punched in, instead of Orlando International, causing some stress, as the rest of us waited in the departure line.
But they arrived in time and we all tripped home together, landing through the fog and low cloud cover that gave me an extra level of respect for commercial airline pilots.
So there you go, a little bit of everything so far from home.
Florida isn’t for everyone, but I’m finding it more to my liking with every trip.
As one Orillian said to me Saturday night during a bonding session over adult beverages, “Orillia is where I live, but this feels like home.”
I wouldn’t give up my citizenship, but I could grow to enjoy some extended stays in the Sunshine State.
Sun, sand, golf, great friends and a portion of Jerry Love!